REPORT: World Touring Car Championship eyeing race in the U.S.
Chevrolet Cruze WTCC - Click above image for high-res gallery
Marcello Lotti, series promoter for the FIA World Touring Car Championship, told Autosport that he wants to bring the event to the United States in 2011. Inaugurated in 1987, the series was originally based in Europe. In 2009, the racing expanded to Brazil, Japan, and Mexico and continues to grow. Current rules limit engine size to 2000 cc, but that hasn't slowed automakers such as SEAT, BMW, or Chevrolet from rounding out the top 3 in Manufacturer's Championship points right now.
A race in the States would attract new manufacturers (Ford is expected to enter its new Focus model). The two most likely venues for the race would be Laguna Seca and the road course at Homestead-Miami Speedway... the favorite right now. "Our preference is for a race in the south of the country because that's where the market is for smaller cars," Lotti told Autosport. Thanks for the tip Marty!
Gallery: Chevrolet Cruze at Marrakech WTCC
[Source: Autosport.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Jerry Hightower 11:24AM (10/10/2009)
Bring it on! This series is a lot better than anything NASCAR has to offer. I wish SPEED or somebody would show this series on a regular basis. The racing is fierce, close, tight and very competitive. It's the best series going since the TRANSAM series.
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fixitfixitstop 9:41AM (10/10/2009)
I saw more small cars in Seattle and Portland than anywhere else in the country. However, hippies hate auto racing so it wouldn't fly up there.
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emailthis 12:06PM (10/10/2009)
SEAT Sport runs the TDI and my question... what will VW do, since they have the Jetta TDI Cup here and/or the SEAT (Spanish) is sold overseas?
Ken Stamper 7:53PM (10/10/2009)
I was thinking the same thing... when I am in the south, I see pickups and SUV's. The northeast and west coast are the small-car hotspots as far as I know
Tourian 9:51AM (10/10/2009)
IF the south is really the hotbed of the small car market, I hope they take a look at Barber's. It would be really nice to have a race like that in my hometown.
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David 12:52PM (10/10/2009)
I am with you on that one. Barber is a much more interesting and beautiful track than Miami. Still I would like to see it at laguna seca as well.
Autblogist! 9:54AM (10/10/2009)
I say Laguna Seca is the best venue. It would be in CA, which is the heart of sub-compact tuner culture.
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adam1drift 10:15AM (10/10/2009)
as much as i dislike CA i'll have to agree there. the best place to hold the first race would be Laguna Seca.
thefronge 9:59AM (10/10/2009)
It looks like that yellow Seat is about to have an interesting accident
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hosss 10:14AM (10/10/2009)
Nah, he's just taken a short-cut over the kerb. Happens all the time.
Swede 7:39PM (10/10/2009)
That would be Rickard Rydell about to hit a very solid block of concrete. Took the wheel and suspension clean off.
Level 5 10:20AM (10/10/2009)
Let's dust off that PacWest Stratus and get rockin!
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spalind 10:21AM (10/10/2009)
Now that's REAL stock car racing...I would be a fan here in the U.S. immediately...
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adam1drift 10:25AM (10/10/2009)
Bring them on!
but really we have the KONI challenge that is just as good as this... and you have mustangs and soon to be camaros thrown in the mix as well. hmmm...
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why not the LS2LS7? 1:24PM (10/10/2009)
The Camaros already ran, last weekend. And Speed isn't even airing it. Very sad.
JSams4131 2:45PM (10/10/2009)
@ls7
yup..now I know why i spent all weekend trying to find the race and for a moment thought I was actually watching the race but could never identify a camaro. I was looking forward to seeing it in action
ojopjopjpjpjpjp 10:26AM (10/10/2009)
BRING IT!
NASCAR has lost its way. At least these cars look like what you can buy.
The fact NASCAR is so popular in America ONLY proves how stupid we really are. Whether it be what we let congress and the President get away with or our racing - we're stupid!
2nd thought, don't bring it, we don't deserve it. We're too stupid.
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audi_arena 10:43AM (10/10/2009)
Yeah, I think that alone makes this series appealing; these cars look exactly like the cars we can buy
bobmuench 10:27AM (10/10/2009)
This is what stock car racing should be. Actual cars racing. I don't know what NASCAR is but it's the farthest thing from stock there is. It is no longer race on sunday buy on Monday. This should be a huge success.
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Motor_Yakuza 10:31AM (10/10/2009)
Nice, Lexus and Honda will enter WTCC by then too.
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